Kenya sets 30-day ultimatum for maize hoarders as government moves to safeguard food security

KENYA – The Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mutahi Kagwe, has issued a 30-day ultimatum to maize hoarders, demanding that stocks be released to the market.

Speaking at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depot in Sagana, Kirinyaga County, Kagwe warned that failure to comply would force the government to permit duty-free maize imports to stabilise the cost of maize flour.

Kagwe emphasized that the government’s priority remains purchasing maize from local farmers to replenish the National Strategic Food Reserve.

“We are buying maize at KES4,000 (US$31)  per bag, and we have KES1.7 billion (US$13M) ready for payments. If anyone tells you to wait, call me. As a country, we must stock our strategic reserves and be prepared for emergencies. Our first option is not to import, but to buy from our farmers,” he said.

So far, only 186,000 bags have been delivered, a shortfall Kagwe attributed to hoarding and speculative practices, particularly as drought conditions begin to emerge in parts of the country.

To reduce post-harvest losses and improve grain quality, the government is rationalizing the deployment of over 60 mobile and stationary maize dryers nationwide.

Dryers will be redeployed to cooperatives, large-scale farmers, self-help groups, and high-production zones, while those in low-yield areas will be reassigned.

Kagwe stressed that misuse of dryers in low-production areas could exacerbate public health risks linked to aflatoxin contamination.

Highlighting progress in maize production, Kagwe noted that the fertiliser subsidy program contributed to doubled yields during the 2025 season, following the distribution of 9.1 million bags of assorted fertilisers supported by favourable weather across the North and South Rift, Eastern, and Central regions.

To address distribution challenges, county governments will now register agro-dealers, enabling farmers to access subsidized fertiliser closer to their farms.

An instant payment system, rolled out in collaboration with the National Treasury, World Bank, and commercial banks, will ensure agro-dealers are paid immediately upon voucher redemption, reducing transport costs and improving availability at village level.

On rice, Kagwe dismissed claims of a national supply crisis, noting that the NCPB has capacity to receive and mill more locally produced rice.

He clarified that delays in specific regions, such as Mwea, should not be interpreted as a nationwide shortage.

Kenya currently produces about 20 percent of its rice needs, with the remainder imported. The government is encouraging investors, cooperatives, and farmers to expand domestic rice farming, supported by assurances of expanded local milling capacity.

Regarding wheat, Kenya produces only about 10 percent of its requirements. Kagwe said the government has established a policy framework to prioritise locally produced wheat before any imports.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to import substitution, Kagwe concluded: “Food security requires discipline in production, storage, drying, and timely marketing. We must have enough food in our stores. Food security is not optional; it is a national duty,” he said.

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